Collins found not guilty in sex abuse trial

NORWICH – Following just over two hours of deliberation, a Chenango County jury has found Charles Collins III not guilty of felony sex crimes that allegedly took place in the summer of 2008 and involving an eleven year old boy.

Collins, 32, of Sherburne, was indicted in July of 2011 on charges of predatory sexual assault against a child, a class A-II felony; first degree incest, a class B violent felony; first degree criminal sexual act, also a class B violent felony; and endangering the welfare of a child, a class A misdemeanor.

The jury came back at 4:35 p.m. yesterday with the verdict, clearing Collins of all charges. It was alleged that the Sherburne resident forced an 11-year-old boy to perform sexual acts upon himself, later telling the child not to tell anyone of the incident, which occurred on an undisclosed date in August of 2008.